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Guest blog: Astros and the Community

A special welcome to Astros Social Media Twintern Brittany Lamas, who provided this roundup of several Astros Community events that took place at Minute Maid Park over the last two days:

This summer I will be spending a lot of time with the Community Affairs Department of the Astros bringing you coverage of the events outside the game. So far, during the Lone Star Series I have gone to two annual community events.

Friday afternoon I had the privilege of meeting and spending time before the Lone Star Series with some of our veterans through (quite possibly the best named group possible) the Jedi Warriors Program.Once a month this season, Jed Lowrie and his wife Milessa sponsor approximately 20 members of the Wounded Warriors Project and Lone Star Veterans Association. The participants receive tickets to the game, a pass to batting practice and $15 to spend in the park. They also get to meet Lowrie and get autographs and photos.

“Jed wanted to something to give back to the veterans,” Community Affairs Director Shawn Bertani said. “He is also the one who came up with the name.”

The event started in April and will continue throughout the season one Friday a month.

Astros super fans Brian and Jennifer Wilson, who have already signed up their unborn son Cameron up for a Buddies MVP membership, said it was an experience of a lifetime.

“We come to a lot of games when either of our jobs has tickets,” Brian Wilson, a medic in the Army between ’06-’07, said. “But you can’t beat being on the field like this.”

Here are a few photos from the event.

Brian and Jennifer Wilson at batting practice before the Rangers game. This was their first time coming to a game as a part of the Jedi Warriors.

Jed Lowrie shakes hands with Ian Hill at batting practice. Hill served in the Army between ’98-’10 and even though he showed up in Rangers gear, he is a proclaimed Lowrie fan.

Jed Lowrie takes photos with the Jedi Warrior group at batting practice before the Rangers game Friday night. Lowrie and his wife sponsor a group of veterans to come enjoy the game one Friday a month.

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On Saturday I sat in at the player meet-and-greet with Sunshine Kids, a non-profit organization that supports children and families dealing with cancer.

Once a month a group of kids and their families are invited to Minute Maid and get to meet and get autographs from players. The Astros and Sunshine Kids have been partnering together for 10 years, and it is a big way the team gives back to the community. Between batting practice and the game, 12 active players stopped by, and Craig Biggio even made an appearance.

Here are some of the cutest pictures I’ve ever taken:

Nicholas and his sister had a great time getting autographs.

Craig Biggio signs a ball for Sunshine Kid Caleb.

Jordan Lyles takes photos at the Sunshine Kids event. The Astros are a longtime partner of the non-profit organization.

Brittany Lamas is a junior at the University of Texas majoring in Journalism.

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